Going bald doesn't mean I'm celibate: Tanushree

Dec 25, 2012, 09.35AM ISTMumbai Mirror[ Vickey Lalwani ]

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Former Miss India Tanushree Dutta, who steamed up the screen with her sensuous turn opposite Emraan Hashmi in Aashiq Banaya Aapne, and lived up to her image of a seductress in subsequent films, will sport a wig for her 31st night performance in Dubai.

Not just a decorative piece, the extensions have been necessitated by the severely tonsured look the pretty actress has been sporting, ever since she embraced spirituality roughly two years ago.

When TOI got in touch with the actress, she responded with the maturity and calm well beyond her 28 years. "I was never feverishly pursuing Bollywood," she said, taking us through her journey from the world of beauty pageants and 'A' rated films to Spartan retreats in Ladakh.

Tanushree's spiritual turn was prompted by a book she chanced upon and the bitterness that stemmed from being exposed to the ugly side of the film industry. "I was reading The Mystic Eye by Sadhguru of Isha Yoga Centre. I couldn't keep the book down and finished it in two-and-half hours. I was always inclined towards spiritualism but was afraid that I would become a sanyasin if I pursued it actively."

In November 2010, a friend introduced her to an ashram in Coimbatore where she says, her "life changed forever." Her week-long retreat extended to over two months. After some introspection, Tanushree says she realised that she needed "to step back in order to move forward." Since then she has been going back to that ashram, has been through Vipassana courses and has also been introduced to Buddhist philosophy in Ladakh. "My mom was upset that at the age when I should have been living it up and looking ahead at a happy, married life, I had gone fully bald!" says the actress about her decision to shorn herself of her lustrous mane. Tanushree claims her decision to shave her head was inspired by the many ascetics she met during her spiritual journey. But it was not easy.

"I panicked when I saw myself in the mirror. There I was, a glamour icon till a few minutes back, and then I was standing there, bereft of my crowning glory. Then it hit me, I am just a creature."

Tanushree says she is in a happier place now. "I have evolved tremendously. I was surrounded by aggressive, competitive people who affected me badly. Now I don't care," she says, but adds quickly,

"Please don't jump to conclusions that I have taken up a vow of celibacy or remain single. I'll marry once I find the right person," she smiles.